Technology Briefing | Hardware: Philips Sues Over Patents

The largest consumer electronics manufacturer in Europe Royal Philips Electronics said it had sued four computer parts makers in the United States and four in Taiwan, accusing them of copying a technique that allows discrete electronic components to work together in a device. In the suits, Philips asserted that the United States defendants made computer circuits that illegally copied Philips technology and that the Taiwan companies exported illegal products including circuits, motherboards and computers to the United States. Earlier this week, citing poor market conditions, Philips reported an unexpectedly large third-quarter loss. Andrew Zipern (NYT)